Can other countries copy a patent, and duplicate a product, and sell them to the world as theirs?
2007-11-25 04:35:52 · 3 answers · asked by Michael K. 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Not exactly. Other countries can make their own patent laws but to sell in our country or another country their products must conform to that countries laws. To use your example, Iran could let someone make copies of Nike shoes and they could sell in Iran but they could not sell in the United States or any other country that recognized Nike's copyrights and patents.
I can tell you that in South Korea you can buy copies of most software. These are obvious copies in many cases with home made labels or no label at all. If you try to bring them into the united States they will probably be confiscated and you might even be fined or charged with a crime.
2007-11-25 04:45:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patent laws are not worldwide, though U.S. Corporations wish they were. There are some regional patents such as European Patent Office and African Intellectual property organization, but basically if you want an international patent, you end up applying for about 100 separate ones.
Iran is a signator of the World Intellectual Property Organization Convention.
2007-11-25 04:50:29 · answer #2 · answered by BruceN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
International patents are governed by individual treaties with each nation. Patents are usually enforced within the nation's borders. International protections are really based on trust between nations.
2007-11-25 04:45:25 · answer #3 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋